In this edition:
- Annual benefits enrollment ends November 15th
- Scheduling update
- Grievance update
- Investigation meetings
Annual benefits enrollment
Enrollment ends November 15th. Postcards and alerts have been sent to all employees. Re-enrollment is required for HSA/FSA deductions and it’s always a good idea to review your elections for the upcoming year. This is the only time of the year when you can make changes without a qualifying life event, such as birth or marriage. Changes you make during the enrollment period are effective January 1, 2025.
Questions?Get started by visiting myalaskabenefits.com or call the Benefits Center at (844) 231-3476 during the hours of 8am to 7pm Pacific Time.
Scheduling update
Melodie Anderes, Chairperson
In December we are welcoming over 100 Flight Attendants to Portland! This is exciting growth for the PDX base.
With the increase in Flight Attendants, we should be eligible for an increase in our TSN (Threshold Sequence Number) §12.F.3, increasing from four (4) to five (5) per day.
With the additional Flight Attendants, many will see a change in their base seniority percentage and schedule. If you have any bidding questions, or would like bidding assistance, please reach out to our AFA PBS Committee at PBS.QA@alaskaair.com
The PBS Committee will be offering virtual assistance in November for December bidding. You can find the schedule and links on the PBS Info page.
With holiday bidding upon us, remember to check out the NavBlue Info page for dates and times of the virtual assistance hosted every month.
Grievance Update
Calls from Supervisors
Get a call from your supervisor after a sick call? We’ve learned management is choosing to exercise §32.A.4 of the contract:
32.A.4 Inflight management may contact the Flight Attendant via telephone or electronic communication on the Company intranet and the Flight Attendant will be expected to return the contact as soon as practical under the following circumstances:
a. If a Flight Attendant has accrued a total of four (4) points (regardless of points reduction and/or total bank points) within two (2) consecutive calendar quarters: or
b. If a Flight Attendant calls in sick at or after scheduled check-in and prior to wheels-up of her/his first flight (Sick Leave On-Line at Scheduled Check-in). Inflight management may contact the Flight Attendant via telephone or electronic communication on the Company intranet.
We do recommend you call them back, but note you are not required to disclose any medical information nor discuss anything but Lyra (company EAP) and leave options with them without a Union representative present. If you have any questions, please reach out to a local officer or Grievance Committee member.
Investigation meetings
If you are asked to participate in a meeting with a performance supervisor or HR “business partner,” you should always have a Union rep with you. The performance supervisor or HR partner will advise you not to discuss the issue or case with anyone outside the “circle of know.” This is usually limited to those management and Union representatives present at the meeting, although whoever is conducting the meeting will usually allow for talking to “loved ones at home” as long as they are not employees.
What they specifically prohibit is discussing the case with other employees, especially fellow Flight Attendants, in airports and on planes, jumpseats, etc. Whether your actions are being investigated or you are called in as a witness, you should not discuss the case with anyone outside the circle of know. This should be considered a directive from management. Failing to comply with a management directive can subject you to discipline, up to and including termination, for insubordination.
It is important to understand that violating a directive can open a whole new investigation for the person who disregards the directive. Please protect yourself and fellow Flight Attendants by following management’s directions, whether you are the subject of an investigation or a witness. Please do not discuss cases outside of the circle of know. This is for the protection of everyone involved.
In Solidarity,
Steve, Krystle and Bethany
